EmiratesGBC announces building retrofit programme

Pilot of the course was attended by employees from the Civil Projects and Engineering team at the DEWA in September

The Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC) has announced that it will offer an advanced Building Retrofit Training Programme in Dubai on December 12 and 13. The course will be in partnership with the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy (DSCE) and Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar).

According to a statement, the two-day training will instruct professionals on critical elements of retrofitting buildings and supports the streamlining of their technical capacity for more effective post-retrofit maintenance and preventive care. Those that successfully complete the course will become EmiratesGBC-certified Building Retrofit Specialists.

“Retrofitting existing buildings is fundamental to driving sustainable built environments and achieving the UAE’s energy goals. Tackling the existing building stock is crucial in tackling global carbon emissions and achieving the global target of net zero carbon buildings by 2050 in line with the Paris Climate Change Agreement. EmiratesGBC’s Advanced Building Retrofit course is specifically designed for professionals in the building sector to equip them with the skills to achieve highly efficient, sustainable buildings. Working collectively, we can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of buildings,” said EmiratesGBC chairman Saeed Al Abbar.

In its statement, EmiratesGBC said participants are recommended to meet at least one of the following criteria to participate: a degree in Engineering or Architecture in addition to one year of relevant industry experience; a degree in Engineering or Architecture plus Leed AP, Sa’fat certified or Estidama PQP; relevant industry accreditation (CEM, CEA, CMPV); or a degree plus at least three years relevant industry experience.

The course aims to deliver in-depth knowledge of building retrofit principles that are relevant to the MENA region and present holistic techniques for improving the environmental performance of existing buildings.

EmiratesGBC also says that the course will give participants an organised list of economically viable retrofit solutions for different building typologies, supported by the necessary technical information and financial metrics required to evaluate retrofit projects and energy efficiency measures.

The programme is based on the EmiratesGBC Technical Guidelines for Retrofitting Existing Buildings, which serves as a handbook for stakeholders to achieve higher levels of energy and water efficiency by retrofitting existing buildings.